YREKA – For the second time in the past year, an apparent murder victim has been discovered in the north Yreka Creek area, stated Yreka Police Department chief Brian Bowles.

No arrests have been made and the body has yet to be identified. The police department is conducting its investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice.

According to Bowles, three citizens who were walking in the north Yreka Creek area in the 1000 block of Deer Creek Way on July 9 spotted the body, and the report was made to the police department at 7:54 a.m. Tuesday.

Authorities cordoned off the crime scene and spent all of Tuesday and Wednesday investigating and collecting evidence.

Bowles confirmed that the victim was a male who appeared to have been deceased for “a short period of time” prior to the discovery of the corpse.

The body was transported to the Siskiyou County Coroner’s Office late Tuesday night, where identification and the cause of death will be determined.

Bowles described this case as “an apparent homicide,” as the coroner is responsible for making this determination. Sources told the Daily News the victim was a transient.

Bowles declined to disclose details about signs of trauma to the body so as not to jeopardize the investigation.

While no arrests have been made, Bowles stated that authorities are questioning persons of interest in this case.

Bowles pointed out that the body is the second to be discovered in the north Yreka Creek area in the past year.

In November 2012, the partially submerged skeletal remains of 43-year-old transient Christopher Scott Schafer were recovered in the creek in the Deer Creek Way vicinity.

Due to extensive decomposition, identification and cause of death was not immediately apparent, said Bowles. The remains were transported to the Chico State Human Identification Laboratory for analysis. The body was identified as Schafer and the death was ruled a homicide.

The police department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice, has been actively investigating Schafer’s murder, though no arrests have been made.

Last month, the Siskiyou County Secret Witness Program announced it is offering a reward up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Schafer’s death.

Bowles commented that the two cases do not appear to be connected.

However, as law enforcement personnel investigate both cases, Bowles is encouraging the public to avoid visiting the Yreka Creek area alone.

He said that at this time, walkers and joggers in the area should be accompanied by another person.

Anyone with information that may assist with this investigation is encouraged to contact Yreka Police Department detective Nick Friden at 841-2313 or 841-2300.